Los Angeles Kings forward Blake Lizotte was suspended one game for cross-checking Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced.
Lizotte was ejected from Saturday's contest after catching Morrissey in the face.
Blake Lizotte assessed a five minute match penalty and a game misconduct for a cross check to the head of Josh Morrissey.#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/FiN5hnkaWL
— Hockey Royalty (@Hockey_Royalty) March 25, 2023
Morrissey was able to return to the game but said he needed 17-18 stitches, according to The Winnipeg News' Mike McIntyre.
"It was a careless play," Morrissey said postgame. "I thought we were going to go, and I took a cross-check to the chin. It could have been my teeth, so thankfully not. "
Jets head coach Rick Bowness also criticized the play.
"It's an uncalled-for cross-check into a guy's face," Bowness said, per The Athletic's Murat Ates. "The league's got to take a really good look at that one."
Boston Bruins forward A.J. Greer was suspended one game Friday for a similar infraction when he cross-checked Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Hoffman in the face.
This is the first time Lizotte has been suspended or fined in his five-year NHL career.
